So far this year, I had been on two trips to the Narawang Wetlands at Newington, in Sydney Olympic Park, to look for the Australian Little Bitterns (Black Backed Bitterns) that others had seen there. Those trips had been unsuccessful from the point of view of observing the Bitterns, although I did see some other nice birds while I was there. My third visit was a lot more successful. I observed two Australian Little Bittern chicks and one of their parents.
I arrived around 10:30 am, and bumped into Janardan, another bird photographer. He had been there a while and had also been looking for the Bitterns, but had had no luck. He left soon after.
I scanned around the edges of the pool where the Bitterns had been seen, and failed to spot any. I ddi see this Little Pied Cormorant perched in a tree –
Walking around, I spotted two Brush Turkeys perched in trees –
And further along, a Great Egret was hunting –
At one place, I flushed out a bird, and it flew off quickly out of sight. I think it may have been a Latham’s Snipe. And I could hear the call of bird in the reeds – perhaps another Snipe.
Here is a Dragonfly – a Graphic Flutterer –
I saw the Great Egret leaving –
Back at the original pond, another Little Pied Cormorant was perched near the water –
Then careful scanning of the reeds around the pond revealed an Australian Little Bittern. The photo below is taken at full zoom on my lens (at 600 mm). The Bittern is small bird, a long layaway.
But cropping in shows it is a chick –
It suddenly adopted an upright posture.
An Australian Swamphen was coming past through the reeds.
The Swamphen passed.
But it then started coming back!
But it turned and flew off to the far side of the pond.
I then resumed watching the Bittern.
Two more photographers arrived, Michael first, then Sharon. Later another Adam turned up. They had arrived at the right time. The Australian Little Bittern went down to the water level, and then a second appeared.
We all watched them with our camera’s poised.
Both Bitterns then started moving along the foreshore.
They seemed to be racing each other.
Then we noticed a third Bittern to their left. It was coming through the reeds.
It was an adult. Presumable a parent bringing food.
One chick seemed to be fed – but this was obscured by reeds.
The parent then flew off.
Back to the chicks –
The Little Pied Cormorant had been perched in the same tree for over two hours. It was now being harassed by Noisy Miners.
It didn’t budge.
Back to the Bitterns –
We had been waiting a fair while to see if another parent bringing in food would take place, but it was time for me to leave.